I love reading about other people’s favourite products. Most of the bloggers I follow have posts every month summarising their monthly finds. I learn so much from these posts. Plus I totally want to buy heaps of stuff.

Set to Glow isn’t about promoting new products every month though, I am inspired to review what I use that I have found to work and things I own. In the interest of being completely honest about what is in my makeup bag, I decided to put together a post on theproducts I can't live without.

So what do I carry around all the time? What are my all time favourite products? Read on to find out…

One of the reasons I started Set to Glow was because of the struggles I have had with my skin. I have had teenage acne, pustular acne from medication and eczema. Because of this, I have a lot of experience with trying different products as well as healthy eating and I wanted to share this with my readers.

Most of the products I review on my blog are things I have experience with using for a long time; if I choose to promote a product I get given (which is hardly ever at this stage) you can count on the fact that it really works.

Now, I like trying new things as much as the next person. I mentioned I regularly shop on Amazon to buy things I can’t get in Australia. So much so that I got a VIP email from Hopshopgo - the mail forwarding service I use. Free shipping? Yes please!

Set to Glow focuses more on skincare, health and wellbeing because a healthy and happy balanced inside leads to great skin. However; using great skincare is very important. A good routine can make you feel and look great. I am a big believer in active skincare as you may remember.

I review makeup less often because I prefer to keep my face as natural as possible. I could say that I practice fresh-faced french girl makeup ideals; however that is not the case. It is more a case of feeling like I haven’t got time and my skin feels more comfortable without foundation on every day. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting dressed up and wearing a full face of makeup and I am totally in awe of all the girls that have youtube channels and are contour queens. Plus a little bit of red lippy lifts my bare face look no matter when you wear it. Opps. I forgot that I depend on concealer under my eyes. I CAN’T go without that.

Another thing a lot of other bloggers do on blogs and instagram is show their empties. They have so many! I am not sure whether they drink the products? There is no way I could use that much product bar washing it down the sink. Maybe that is their secret? (If you are a blogger that shows your empties maybe you could comment below and let me know?) That said, over washing and layering too much product really is a waste. Washing your face too much is actually bad for it and there is a trick to product layering. Start light and allow each product to absorb between applications. Let’s face it, how many products do you really need to use? I use a cleanser, toner (sometimes) and moisturiser plus a few serums. Then in the evening I cleanse, use a serum and layer on glycolic lotion a few nights a week. I have makeup empties because I have favourite products; however I always try to find the refills for them when possible. Some things aren’t possible to refill though – hey Tom Ford can you give me lipstick refills? It’s not really in their brand positioning to refill right? Damn…

I may have gotten slightly off topic. What about the product you use every day I hear you say? What do a carry with me in my bag all the time?

Natural Lip Balm

I have done a post on Natural Lip Balms: Manuka Honey Benefitsas well as a post on Burt's Bees Lipstick and Lip Crayons.Lipstick and Lip Balm are two things I can't live without. I prefer to wear natural lip balm as much as possible plus, because I have perioral dermatitis flare ups, I have to watch what products I use on my face. The Lip Balms I use have to be pretty solid, so far I haven't found anything liquid that doesn't cause my bumps to appear. I carry a Burt's Bees Lip Balm, a Burt's Bees Lip Crayon, Dr Roebuck Lip Balm and a Clean & Pure Manuka Honey Lip Balm a lot of the time. I also have lots of lip balms stashed in bags and jackets in my wardrobe. There is a good chance that I will pull something out of there that already has lip balm in the pockets!

Red Lipstick

As I mentioned above, I love red lipstick. I often go to the beauty counter looking for other colours to use but I keep coming back to my signature red. I like to wear red nail polish too so I match. I have been doing this for years. I dream of buying the FULL Tom Ford Lips and Boys Lipstick Collection in the display box (which is really expensive I might add), but I know would never use them all. My favourite brands of lipstick are Dior, YSL and Tom Ford. In my Burt's Bees Lipstick and Lip Crayonsreview I discuss the pigmentation qualities of natural products. So far I haven't found a natural red lipstick that I feel lives up to the pigmentation in my favourite lipsticks above. So I am interested to hear from anyone who uses natural lipsticks.

Tom Ford Lipstick, Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick, Dior Lipstick

Dior Lip Glow

This is a new addition to my makeup bag, it was recommended to me by a colleague. It is a pink stick of product, that gives your lips a slight tint while making them shine at the same time. I am not normally one to jump on the bandwagon when I hear a gimmick, however I was surprised at how long this moisturised for and seemed to last. Apparently, the Dior Lip Glow is formulated with colour reviver technology, this and reacts with the chemistry of your lips to create a special shade that will last all day. It definitely doesn't last all day, because you eat and drink and the product sinks it. However it does do a great job. It includes SPF 10, hydrating mango butter and loofah extract nourish for beautiful, luscious lips.

Concealer Pen

I have been using the Chanel Eclat Lumiere Highlighter Face Wand in #20 Beige Clair for years. When I was younger I used it under the eyes, however now that I have more wrinkles and I am drier in that area, I use it as a spot coverage for any little pimples I get. It is also great to put last little touches on over your foundation once you have finished. I like to cover my freckles on my nose with it after foundation for example. It dries pretty quickly so you need to be careful how much product you twist out. You don't want to use the dry stuff next time if you leave too much excess on the brush. I like it better than the YSL equivalent.

Miracle Cushion

A couple of years ago, after deciding that I needed to switch to liquid foundation, I settled on using Lancôme Miracle Cushion in #02 Beige Rose. This product comes in a cushion compact as the name suggests and it is great to layer up for a whole face look. I use it to cover specific areas of my face, like under my eyes and over the freckles on my nose. It doesn't have much smell. After reading a blog just recently on a new Lancôme product called Teint Idole Ultra Cushion and marvelling at the black packaging I bought some. I read a few reviews of it and it promised better coverage and longer wear. While the Miracle Cushion is dewy, the Teint Idole Ultra Cushion is velvety in finish. However, the Miracle Cushion still seems to be fresher. I need to use the Teint Idole Ultra Cushion for longer to get a better sense of which one I like... However, the Teint Idole Ultra Cushion is a bit more fragranced that the Lancôme Miracle Cushion. So I might decide to stick to my original choice. The coverage on the Teint Idole Ultra Cushion is better though so I am torn...

Serum Ampoule

You never know when you might need some hydration under the eyes, so I carry a little Ampoule of Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Concentrate around with me in my makeup bag. Hyaluronic acid is really great for your skin and it has been getting a lot of air time lately because of this. Certain types of hyaluronic acid have anti-inflammatory properties and help reverse collagen/cartilage loss. There are many benefits to using hyaluronic acid including firming aging skin, reducing achy joints, moisturising wounds and rewetting dry eyes. The Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Concentrate is supposed to help with pigmentation too. While I haven't seen a pigmentation improvement, I do feel like it plumps my fine lines around my eyes. This means I have a good surface to apply my eye concealer/foundation to in the morning.

Eyebrow Wand

If you have been reading my blog for a while you make remember my review of the eyebrow feathering process. If not you can check it out here. Since I have had this done I don't need to do much to my eyebrows in the morning bar giving them a comb. If I haven't had an eyebrow tint I can also apply a bit of colour to my hair to make my brow hair match my eyebrow feathering strokes. Because of this, I like to carry a Burberry Effortless Eyebrow Definer Pencil with me everywhere. It has two ends, a eyebrow brush and a solid colour stick with a slanted end. It is flat rather than being like a crayon which I find easier to use. I did want to buy a Tom Ford one, however I decided I didn't want to stretch to $70AUD. The Burberry Effortless Eyebrow Definer Pencil is $35-$37AUD.

Mascara

Do you remember my in-depth mascara review?? Everyone really loved it and I tried out so many mascaras. After my long and involved review process, a reader suggested I try Benefit They're Real Mascara and I loved it. Funny how that worked, but at least I am honest about the process right? Benefit They're Real goes on really well, separates my lashes and comes off easily. What more can you want from a mascara. Well maybe false eyelashes that aren't a pain to apply all the time??

Antihistamine Tablets

I can't go anywhere without them unfortunately. End of story.

Perfume

I have a few perfume favourites. I just recently bought a Byredo Parfum Kabuki in Blanche, a brush on powder perfume. So I carry that around as well as a solid perfume by Diptyque. I have so many fragrances, however since I have sensitive skin as well as being prone to headaches, there are only so many I can wear. I am going to do a blog post on interesting perfumes and formats and sensitivities soon, so hang out for that one.

Byredo Parfum Kabuki in Blanche, Solid Perfume by Diptyque

So that is my makeup bag wrap up! What do you carry around? Comment at the end of the post - I love hearing from you all!